Instructors
Kenny Nero, Jr.
Kenny Nero is the founder and Head Instructor of Bowie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. His martial arts journey began in middle school with Kung Fu, but his true passion for self-defense took root in the mid-1990s when his father introduced him to the original Gracie VHS tapes. By 2002, Kenny was formally training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Maguilla (Aspen Hill, MD), where he earned his first blue belt. Years later, from 2015 to 2018, he trained at Capital MMA a then Royce Gracie gym in Takoma Park, once again earning his blue belt.
In late 2018, Kenny joined the Gracie University system, where he immersed himself in the Combatives and Master Cycle programs. After years of dedicated training, from starting over as a white belt again, he was awarded his purple belt in early 2023, and continued under the Gracie University system until September 2025.
Today, Kenny is advancing his journey with Cat5BJJ under the mentorship of Professors Anthony Nelson and Alberto Da Silva. From Anthony, he is learning Rickson Gracie–inspired “Invisible Jiu-Jitsu” fundamentals, while Alberto provides additional technical depth and refinement. His focus remains on making jiu-jitsu safe, effective, and accessible for self-defense.
Outside the academy, Kenny is a husband and father of two. He is also a passionate vegan, anime enthusiast, and dedicated calisthenics practitioner.
Mark Miller
Mark is Bowie Jiu-Jitsu Academy's first Assistant Instructor. Mark is a purple belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie of Gracie University. Mark and Kenny met at the Annapolis Certified Training Center and have been friends ever since. Mark is also a Lead Gracie Survival Tactics (GST) Certified Instructor and at times travels throughout the country to train law enforcement.
Izumi is a Blue Belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie. Izumi has been training since 2016 and started her Jiu-Jitsu journey at Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu in Wahiawa, Hawaii. She has been certified to teach self defense since 2017. In 2023, Izumi and her family relocated to Maryland and joined Bowie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. She is an assistant instructor, with a passion for the women's self-defense program, DefendHer.
When Izumi is not on the mat, she is spending time with her husband and 3 kids or serving at their church, Cornerstone in Bowie.
Jon Spiers
Jon is a Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt. He has been playing on the mat since 2021 and started his journey at Bowie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. He has been teaching here since the summer of 2023.
He is a retired Sailor and Mustang, and leads a training department that teaches military communication. Jon prioritizes fitness with yoga and strength training.
Donrell "DJ" Johnson
Meet our Jiu-Jitsu and Striking Instructor - Donrell Johnson “Coach DJ” (@coachdjsfd)
Coach DJ brings decades of experience across multiple martial arts, including Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Judo fundamentals, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, and boxing. He also holds certifications as an ISSA Kickboxing Instructor and Fit to Fight® Coach, with additional training in private security defensive tactics.
Beyond martial arts, Coach DJ enjoys sports, outdoor adventures, traveling, and DJing. He combines technical precision with real-world application, creating training sessions that are dynamic, practical, and growth-focused. His mission is to empower others to become more self-aware, confident, and capable both on and off the mat.
Anthony Nelson
Anthony Nelson is a 1st Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under 3rd Degree Black Belt Professor Alberto Da Silva. He began training in 1999 under a Ralph Gracie purple belt in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has since studied at numerous academies around the world, including Tai Kai Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA (Syracuse, NY), Zeus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Monterey, CA), Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu (Brainerd, MN), John Frankl BJJ (Seoul, Korea), and Prodigy Mixed Martial Arts (Leesville, LA).
At Bowie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Anthony plays a key role in guiding the instructional team—training and promoting instructors while occasionally teaching classes and seminars. He also owns and operates Tidal Wave Jiu-Jitsu in Ft. Meade.
Throughout his career, Anthony has served as head instructor and MMA corner at RSMAA in Junction City, Kansas, directed his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in Kuwait City, Kuwait, and led CAT5 Jiu-Jitsu in Mons, Belgium. He is a registered black belt with both the IBJJF and Beltchecker, and is also a certified Level 2 Gracie Combatives instructor.
Beyond Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Anthony holds black belts in Taekwondo and Hapkido, with additional ranking in Judo, Ryu Kempo, and Karate. His teaching experience extends to training British and American Special Forces, including elite SAS operatives. He has a particular passion for supporting active-duty military members, veterans, their families, and individuals with disabilities—making jiu-jitsu both accessible and empowering for all.